Log On and Learn: The development and pedagogy of a Virtual Synchronous Learning platform for real-time lecture casting in modern tertiary level teaching

High levels of attrition rates in computer science higher education (Beaubouef and Mason, 2005) and an ever increasing demand for IT professionals across Europe (Van Heur, 2016) and further afield (Oliver, 2015) is putting great pressure on Higher Education Institutes to deliver good quality IT graduates. Enrolment numbers in computer science programmes is also showing a downward trend (HESA, 2014). More alarmingly research suggests that current low pass rates in programming subjects might be having a decremental effect on computer science student enrolment and retention (Watson, 2014). This action research study will present a new platform to allow HE institutes to deliver a high quality learning experience in software development and programming courses. This study relies on the recent advances in open source streaming technology and its growth to create a virtual synchronous classroom platform.